A Parksley man pleaded guilty to strangulation in connection with a domestic incident at his house in July this year.

Ronald Hess, 19, was originally charged with abduction, strangulation and assault and battery, but the other two charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement with the commonwealth.

Hess was in Accomack County court Dec. 20 to face trial in connection with the July 26 incident.

According to testimony in court, Hess and his girlfriend were arguing during her visit to his house then. No one else was at home.

“The couple continued an argument that began the previous day,” said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Fultz. “There was arguing, shouting and finally physical violence.

“She went into his bedroom looking for photos to tear up,” Fultz said. “He slapped her in the neck, pushed her onto the bed, squeezing her neck and continuing to hit her. She felt she was going to die.”

Hess eventually stopped and gave the girl an ice pack, said Fultz. When his father returned home, Hess told him she had bruised herself in a fall. She told Hess’ father his son had beaten her.

She left and called the sheriff’s office. She was taken to the hospital and treated for her injuries. Fultz presented photographs of the bruising on the girl’s neck as evidence.

Under the the terms of the plea agreement, Hess will be released with time served.

When asked why he entered into the plea agreement, Fultz told Judge W. Revell Lewis III that Hess will be a convicted felon and that he has served five months in jail.

“Only two people know exactly what happened,” he said. “I felt the agreement was the best way.”

Judge Lewis accepted the agreement and sentenced Hess to three years with all but time served suspended. He will be on supervised probation for one year and must be on good behavior for three years. He is to also have no contact with the victim, the judge ruled.